Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A (HAV) is a highly contagious disease that attacks the liver. It is the most common type of hepatitis reported in the US. Hepatitis A is spread by the fecal-oral route by:

putting something in the mouth, even though it may look clean, that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A,

through close person-to-person contact,

or by eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Symptoms include:

fever,

jaundice (yellowing of skin),

fatigue,

loss of appetite,

nausea,

abdominal discomfort and

dark urine.

There is no specific treatment for HAV and most recover without complications. Once you get hepatitis A you cannot be re-infected; you are protected for life. Fortunately, there is an effective vaccine to protect against hepatitis A.